Got my Predator for $500 shipped to my door in 308. Shoots 0.5" 3 shot groups at 100y. Perfect deer gun. The stock may cant to one side, but I can walk through the east coast woods and not give a #### about scratches or dents.
Any arguments against the Ruger American?
- Thread starter ffolkes
- Start date
Well said. It seems like there’s unfair comparison in this thread to rifles way above the RAR’s price range. Some days I’ll grab my rotary mag ranch to go out walking instead of one of my higher end rifles, it feeds reliably, ejects just fine, Carrie’s and points nicely and has a smooth, fast action and great trigger…not to mention it’s accurate.
Was the action rough and gritty out of the box? Yes, but it smoothed up nicely cycling in front of the TV.
A small amount of work brought the trigger around to a creep free 2.5lbs
The dual recoil lugs and how they interface/bed with the action gives these rifles a leg-up over other for inherent accuracy, great design!
Got three of ‘em, can’t seem to get them to feed from an AR mag or in a 16” barrel either. 450 Bushmaster chambered in a Tikka…nope! 350 Legend? Nope. 300BLK? Nope 7.62X39? Nope.
The T3 is the original cost cutting plastic fantastic long before the American, and I love my Tikkas just the same. I remember the guys crapping on them too for being cheaply produced rifles.
Dang, Tikka mags are $$$ and I have 3 for my Tikka .223. Only one of the mags works as well as a AR mag fed Ruger American. It's fricking annoying to shoot 8 rounds out of the Tikka then have to fiddle with the mag so it will pop up the last 2 rounds.
I always felt that when the T3 first came out they were excellent Bang for the Buck. Then they got waaay more expensive and they were much less attractive.
After owning and shooting more than a few of both...that better build quality of the Tikka has never really manifested itself in any way.
If someone likes to look at their gun and enjoy the absence of tooling marks and and feel the bolt slide back and forth with less contact with the receiver, cool. The Tikkas worth an extra $400. If that stuff doesn't matter to you....well, it made a convert of me lol.
The stock has nicer lines to hold and shoulder. I can appreciate that. Otherwise no practical difference in use/hunting/shooting.
If someone likes to look at their gun and enjoy the absence of tooling marks and and feel the bolt slide back and forth with less contact with the receiver, cool. The Tikkas worth an extra $400. If that stuff doesn't matter to you....well, it made a convert of me lol.
The stock has nicer lines to hold and shoulder. I can appreciate that. Otherwise no practical difference in use/hunting/shooting.
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Yup! LOL. $80 plus tax (or more!) for a Polymer mag. Look at the build quality on the feed lips that someone whacked at with a dull apprentice here lol. Count me in to pay a hundy for more of these
They work. But if they were half the price and worked like my rotary mags do...would be a lot cooler to buy a few.
rnrogers said:
He woulda been too busy trying to ban its AR mags lol
Single stack mag + push feed = slick feeding
Add excellent machining to the equation and it only gets better
Ruger could take some design lessons from Tikka
I don't really have a dog in this fight; on both price levels I would take my cash to the e.e or a good used rack and get something either much nicer or with much more character than both.
Add excellent machining to the equation and it only gets better
Ruger could take some design lessons from Tikka
I don't really have a dog in this fight; on both price levels I would take my cash to the e.e or a good used rack and get something either much nicer or with much more character than both.
Can't say I am noticing a difference in feeding between an American Predator in 223 and a Tikka 223 here.
Not really pulling for one over the other so much as stating facts as I see/feel em.
How does "add excellent machining to the equation and it only gets better" actually pay off though? It sounds really eloquent but in terms of operation/function of the rifle?
Not really pulling for one over the other so much as stating facts as I see/feel em.
How does "add excellent machining to the equation and it only gets better" actually pay off though? It sounds really eloquent but in terms of operation/function of the rifle?
Haptics
Feels gud...
Seemingly easier to.operate quickly.
The machining can only benefit the inherent smooth feeding from the design
Tikka in 223 is nothing to get excited about, mag and action are both oversized.
I had a rotary mag ruger american 223 it was a very mechanically accurate gun. For me, and only me, I found it poorly finished and clunky.
Compare it to a 3 lug action like an a7 or m03 and it's like shaving with a single blade Walmart razor and a bar of soap VS having one of those cute punk rock lady barbers that seem to be everywhere these days do it with a straight razor
Feels gud...
Seemingly easier to.operate quickly.
The machining can only benefit the inherent smooth feeding from the design
Tikka in 223 is nothing to get excited about, mag and action are both oversized.
I had a rotary mag ruger american 223 it was a very mechanically accurate gun. For me, and only me, I found it poorly finished and clunky.
Compare it to a 3 lug action like an a7 or m03 and it's like shaving with a single blade Walmart razor and a bar of soap VS having one of those cute punk rock lady barbers that seem to be everywhere these days do it with a straight razor
No Tikkas fed in such a way as its been worth getting worked up for me compared to plenty of other rifles But see now that last part tells me something!
Otherwise...I'm a philistine lol. Just not big on spending hundreds or more on slight improvements in handling and smoothness that probably mean 0 in the field, and I barely notice otherwise. Subjectively I get why they ain't the gun for some and that's cool. The nebulous ideas of how better machining etc makes any difference except for feeling smoother interest me.
The American 7.62x39 version really ain't a smooth feeder....but its a reliable one.
But see now that last part tells me something! Otherwise...I'm a philistine lol. Just not big on spending hundreds or more on slight improvements in handling and smoothness that probably mean 0 in the field, and I barely notice otherwise. Subjectively I get why they ain't the gun for some and that's cool. The nebulous ideas of how better machining etc makes any difference except for feeling smoother interest me.
The American 7.62x39 version really ain't a smooth feeder....but its a reliable one.
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Depends on which lol. I honestly find very few rifles that I don't like and I've had one or two from a couple brands now Enough to realize most of this stuff is between the ears and not at the range or in the field. Course not having mysterious qualities because of more finishing time and smoother machining is such a drag lol
Then again a 700 Classic in a good chambering can be a real slick feeder lol. The glory days were something even if today's concentricity is better....they shot, too.
You and me both, on Tikkas lol.
Enough to realize most of this stuff is between the ears and not at the range or in the field. Course not having mysterious qualities because of more finishing time and smoother machining is such a drag lolThen again a 700 Classic in a good chambering can be a real slick feeder lol. The glory days were something even if today's concentricity is better....they shot, too.
You and me both, on Tikkas lol.
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More of a 98k guy myself Or a No4 Enfield although no one complains about that weird comb lol.
Funny how it doesn't work the opposite way and I haven't just clued in on why the pricier rifles with a little bit more finishing and polishing are capable of muh build quality magic lol
htt ps://rifleshooter.com/2019/01/ruger-american-rifle-predator-223-review/
There ya go OP, you can sit at home and jack your bolt and ponder equisite machining that does...something...or you can have a reliable, plenty smooth, functional rifle that can shoot a half inch lol. Hey, I'd be telling myself whatever I could about expensive guns being better too lol.
Or a No4 Enfield although no one complains about that weird comb lol. Funny how it doesn't work the opposite way and I haven't just clued in on why the pricier rifles with a little bit more finishing and polishing are capable of muh build quality magic lol
htt ps://rifleshooter.com/2019/01/ruger-american-rifle-predator-223-review/
There ya go OP, you can sit at home and jack your bolt and ponder equisite machining that does...something...or you can have a reliable, plenty smooth, functional rifle that can shoot a half inch lol. Hey, I'd be telling myself whatever I could about expensive guns being better too lol.
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As long as expectations ar ein line with the rifle I think the RAR are a great rifle.
I have 4 of em...a pair of each in 556 and 762rusky.
Yes the price has steadily gone up since their introduction ...and current pricing makes them less appealing than they initially were.
That said...the rifles deliver on several important fronts.
Accurate right outa the box..the 556 and 762 versions consistently deliver sub moa performance with quality ammo...and even maintain good accuracy with run o the mill ammo.
Good trigger that doesnt need immediate attn and or replacement...refreshing change these days.
Incorporating existing magazine designs that are widely available and proven reliable as well afford the user to procure the size/brand/material/quality spec that I choose is a MAJOR plus...one of the reasons I chose these rifles. Being hostage to a proprietary oem mag that is expensive/hard to source and doesnt work well or hold up....FAIL
The compact size/lightweight and handling/carrying characteristics are ideal.
Reliable functional action and magazine interface...they just work.
Yes the stocks are nasty lil plastic crap...visually unappealing and gross to the touch....tough as nails and inexpensive tho so mission accomplished.
No the actions arent butter smooth....but are totally reliable/functional ...and will slick up with use.
A major miss that would make these lil buggers an outa the park homerun would be oem winged iron siites...at least a front one....an AR style winged post.
The rear can be added by the user if they want easily as it can be hosted by the rail...a front site is more difficult/expensive to achieve...Ruger could have done it at manufacture for a few bux.
I bought these rifles as replacements for my ARs and other semi auto rifles in the above mentioned calibers that have sadly been over the years restricted/registered/prohibd et al by a corrupt confused arrogant lefty leaning govt.....fool me once...U get the idea....these are currently un restricted and thus unregistered.
These rifles are light/compact/durable user friendly and can host high capacity durable proven widely available mags.... the new minuteman rifle as it were.
I have plenty of higher end and old world quailty rifles in my safe.....but these RARs are as I mentioned a replacement for my previous semi auto miltary style rifles for hard/fast high speed low drag use and Id bet my life on them when properly setup.
Ive always been a Ruger fan and I think these rifles stick to Bills ethos of high quality where it counts and corners cut where it matters not as much while delivering reasonable value.....any of the RAR issues are no different than ALL fireamrs manufactures struggle with currently.
I have 4 of em...a pair of each in 556 and 762rusky.
Yes the price has steadily gone up since their introduction ...and current pricing makes them less appealing than they initially were.
That said...the rifles deliver on several important fronts.
Accurate right outa the box..the 556 and 762 versions consistently deliver sub moa performance with quality ammo...and even maintain good accuracy with run o the mill ammo.
Good trigger that doesnt need immediate attn and or replacement...refreshing change these days.
Incorporating existing magazine designs that are widely available and proven reliable as well afford the user to procure the size/brand/material/quality spec that I choose is a MAJOR plus...one of the reasons I chose these rifles. Being hostage to a proprietary oem mag that is expensive/hard to source and doesnt work well or hold up....FAIL
The compact size/lightweight and handling/carrying characteristics are ideal.
Reliable functional action and magazine interface...they just work.
Yes the stocks are nasty lil plastic crap...visually unappealing and gross to the touch....tough as nails and inexpensive tho so mission accomplished.
No the actions arent butter smooth....but are totally reliable/functional ...and will slick up with use.
A major miss that would make these lil buggers an outa the park homerun would be oem winged iron siites...at least a front one....an AR style winged post.
The rear can be added by the user if they want easily as it can be hosted by the rail...a front site is more difficult/expensive to achieve...Ruger could have done it at manufacture for a few bux.
I bought these rifles as replacements for my ARs and other semi auto rifles in the above mentioned calibers that have sadly been over the years restricted/registered/prohibd et al by a corrupt confused arrogant lefty leaning govt.....fool me once...U get the idea....these are currently un restricted and thus unregistered.
These rifles are light/compact/durable user friendly and can host high capacity durable proven widely available mags.... the new minuteman rifle as it were.
I have plenty of higher end and old world quailty rifles in my safe.....but these RARs are as I mentioned a replacement for my previous semi auto miltary style rifles for hard/fast high speed low drag use and Id bet my life on them when properly setup.
Ive always been a Ruger fan and I think these rifles stick to Bills ethos of high quality where it counts and corners cut where it matters not as much while delivering reasonable value.....any of the RAR issues are no different than ALL fireamrs manufactures struggle with currently.
Uh oh. Sounds like another case of Mosinitis is about to go down...you're catching cheap gun cooties!
Couldn't agree more with all of the above...although I don't mind the stocks that much, especially the second gen "honeycomb" ones although slightly heavier. Quite rigid.
Couldn't agree more with all of the above...although I don't mind the stocks that much, especially the second gen "honeycomb" ones although slightly heavier. Quite rigid.
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